Special-K88

In the early 1990s, endlessly optimistic musical theater writer Jonathan Larson supports himself by working at a diner in SoHo, but with his youth soon to be over forever as he approaches the age of 30, his real desire is to showcase his musical passion project Superbia. The film chronicles his ups and downs as he deals with the anxieties of finding his creative spark, maintaining a steady relationship with the woman he loves, and trying not to alienate his friends while he pursues his true callings. Lin-Manuel Miranda's directorial debut, which is also a semi-autobiographical look at the career beginnings of Larson, is both a lively, refreshing musical and a determined underdog story that carries a full wave of emotions that hit the viewer like a shot in the heart. In addition to the off-Broadway production, the onomatopoeic title is a reference to the main character's limited timetable in which to succeed, as well as the uncertainty of what the future has in store for him, effectively channeled by a trailblazing Andrew Garfield who sings and plays the piano with such boundless enthusiasm. ***

George Clooney shows no trouble in playing himself, a sixtyish famous movie star traveling across Europe who, through a dreamlike series of mini-movies, becomes reflective upon his choices in life, specifically the significance of his career, the current people in his social circle, and most importantly his fractured relationships with his adult daughters. Interesting comedy-drama takes a poignant look at stardom, parenting, and friendship that's humorous and sad in equal measures. There's a struggle to find a steady tone in the first half, and an excess of rambling while focusing on needless side characters and plot turns, but the acting is good, with an impressive dramatic turn for Sandler as Clooney's loyal, long-suffering manager and best friend. Scripted by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, who's also featured in the role of a hairstylist. **½

Hungry prequel initially begins three years before the annual games, with Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow as a dirt-poor child long before his pathway to the presidency of Panem. As an adult he's become an insubordinate strategist and Capitol student in pursuit of prosperity, but to incentivize the games right before the tenth annual tournament commences, he's selected to mentor the rebellious District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird. Despite the class divide, the two have more in common than they realize, but that still doesn't assure her a victory. Overhyped, malnourished entry to the franchise features an abundance of singing which is ineffectual, many visual effects which are nothing to go gaga over, but does have some intriguing side characters: fatuous Casca Highbottom, charismatic Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman, stony Dr. Volumnia Gaul, all effectively portrayed by Dinklage, Schwartzman, and Davis, but they're merely sprigs of parsley juxtaposed to Blyth and Zegler who don't have enough chemistry to be the main course. There's not enough of a story to justify how exceedingly long this movie goes on for, and by the time it's over there's really no reason to care anymore. **